VisualWorks' Delays

We use VisualWorks for embedded machine control. Our software is designed to run in a distributed environment. Our customers typically have 5-9 computers linked together on a private intranet. The images running on these computers use remote object communication and the traffic is relatively heavy.

We collect a lot of data from all of the computers and coalesce it into a single timeline. It is important that the clocks be synchronized.

In practice, clocks drift, so we resynchronize periodically. When we do, Delays get screwed up. Given that we are responsible for ensuring that humans are protected from poisonous gases, lethal electrical currents and robotic machinery, it kind of makes a difference that a Delay fires when it is supposed to.

VW 7.x contains an implementation of Delay that fails this simple requirement. How is it that Cincom's entire compliment of Smalltalk brainpower isn't on this problem? How does Cincom rationalize making another release without fixing this?

Frankly, it is beyond me how anyone could put profit ahead of safety, but it happens a lot. American Industry is full of examples. Of course, we regard these violators as greedy and opportunistic. History is unkind to their ilk.

Maybe Cincom's good intentions will deflect the critical glare of history.

Madness

If California can convict Scott Peterson of double homicide in the killing of his wife and unborn child, how can it then condone abortion? This is the very definition of madness.

This issue is so clear to me. Those that equivocate the slaughter of the unborn no longer deserve my attention. The only practice of eugenics that is permissible is in showing discretion in choosing a partner.

We all have choices to make. In the US, we have an abundance of choices; much more so than almost any country in the world. We are blessed with choice. The cost of this blessing is responsibility. We are all responsible for conducting ourselves in such a manner as that will not impinge upon the blessings and responsibilities of another.

Abortion specifically and eugenics in general violate this precept. I submit that an unborn child has a right to life. No less so than any other American. The child has done nothing to warrant any judgement against it. So, as Americans, as free-thinking, compassionate individuals, abortion must be condemned.

Noopinionline

USA Today has an opinion roundup on Fridays call "Opinionline." This week's subject was the Sotomayor confirmation hearings. As is their format, there are edited opinions from five newspapers around the country (sometimes the world.) There were two from Texas, Dallas and Waco. Both took fence sitting to an art form. They said nothing for or against the nominee. Instead they concentrated on the form and structure of the hearings. Hence, for this edition, I'm dubbing the editorial roundup as "Noopinionline."

I already boycott the Dallas Morning News. Now I have another to add to the list: the Waco Tribune-Herald. This is not to say that I endorse USA Today. My readership is more a product of the paper being least objectionable. The other quoted editorials in this week's edition at least ponied up opinions on the nominee; both positive and negative. That's more than the News could muster.

Overwhelming Stupidity

Some days it's just overwhelming. The amount of sheer idiocy that makes the news these days, well, it boggles the mind.

Sen. Lugar (R-Ind) has declared he will vote for confirmation of Sotomayor for SCOTUS. I wonder what keeps the blood from pouring out of his ears. It can't be a brain. Perhaps some sort of large tumor. So, Dick, what did you get in return for your vote? I hope it was worth it.

On the next page I read that Hizb ut-Tahrir is holding its first US conference in Chicago. This islamic group seeks to establish its caliphate. This includes conquering the US through whatever means are available. And we hold the ladder for them.

Wow.

Lessons

There is no education in the second kick of a mule.

Sotomayor Hearings - Day 1

Someone on the radio said that the exchange between Sen. Lindsey Graham and Sonia Sotomayor was staged; that the questions and answers were scripted. I was impressed by the senator's questions and the tempo of his investigation. They were unexpectedly probing and pointed. I don't think its much of a stretch that he thought these questions out beforehand. But to think that Ms. Sotomayor's answers were prepared and coached, even scripted, is just scary. Her answers are rambling and disjointed. She doesn't sound like she's reciting a canned answer at all.

For instance, when the senator asked her if the Constitution was a "living document", her answer was not clear. She said it was "immutable" except by amendment and then stumbled (ad libbed?) the part about the specification of the amendment process in the Constitution. She said that the document has stood the test of time for 200 years and then ends the statement with "it is society that changes." What does that mean? Is that the caveat that allows her to ignore the Constitution?

It is frightening to think that this exchange was scripted. In fact, I can't tell that she was coached at all. She sounds like she's trying very hard to keep a lid on things. She sounds like she is ready to explode. And we want this thing on the highest bench in the land?